STATEHOUSE (Jan. 29, 2024) — State Rep. Kyle Pierce (R-Anderson) recently authored legislation to help protect Hoosiers privacy when using genetic testing services.
Hoosiers can use genetic testing companies, such as 23andMe and Ancestry, to complete at-home testing kits for DNA and ancestry information. Under current law, the data from these tests is owned by the company, not the individual. Pierce's bill would give ownership and control of the data expressly to Hoosiers and create strict guidelines for genetic testing companies' use of the data.
"Our DNA holds an incredible amount of information about who we are, from predisposed traits like diseases to our physical characteristics," Pierce said. "In this evolving age, with a continual push against the limits of our personal privacy, it's critical that Indiana stays ahead of the curve and creates protections for Hoosiers using these resources."
The bill would also require genetic testing companies to receive consent to share an individual's data and allow customers to request their data be deleted. Pierce said the companies would also be prohibited from using customer data in marketing and advertising materials, and sharing data with insurance companies.
Similar legislation has been passed in over 20 states with bipartisan support. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Indiana Senate this session.
House Bill 1342 is assigned to the House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development Committee. For more information, or to watch session and committees live, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Kyle Pierce (R-Anderson) represents House District 36,
which includes a portion of Madison County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
